Yes, your business name can be added to your policy for free on the initial application, the renewal application, or through your My Account center. If you need to list a business name other than your own, it would be listed as an additional insured.

It depends on the kind and cost. Under the Business Personal Property/Inland Marine coverage ($2,000 limit), coverage is provided for tangible property used for business. If the value is more than $2000, and it is permanently fixed into the floor or wall (i.e., not movable), then no coverage is provided.

Theft of property under the Inland Marine section is covered as long as there is physical evidence of the theft. This means that unexplained loss, mysterious disappearance, or inventory shortage is not considered a theft and is not covered under our policy. For example, if you have business property in the back of your truck and when you return from an errand it is gone, that will be considered mysterious disappearance and no coverage will respond. If the property was in the cab of the truck and the window was broken, then that means there is physical evidence of a theft and the policy would respond.

We have a level of business personal property coverage that will address such items as products, supplies, inventory, etc., with an aggregate limit of $2,000. Equipment can sometimes fall into that category, but this policy is not designed to completely cover equipment and machines. If you are looking for higher than $2,000 of coverage, then unfortunately this policy would not be able to accommodate that need. We would recommend contacting a local agent to find coverage specifically for your equipment.

Additional Insured

An additional insured (AI) is reserved for a business name or landlord you want listed on the policy. It is not for other professional providers and/or co-workers.

When you add a landlord or business name to your policy as an AI, you are extending your policy coverages to protect them from any lawsuit that was caused by your negligence.

In other words, if someone slipped in your space of service and broke their arm, the injured person would sue you and the AI. Since the landlord or business name is added as an AI, your insurance policy would protect both you and them in the suit.

Simply log in to your account. Go to "My Policies," then click the link to your current policy number. Scroll down and you should see a button that says "Add Additional Insured." Click that button, enter required information, click submit, and then you can download and/or print your certificate.

We recommend trying to add your AI in your account center first, as you will have instant access to the updated certificate in your account after you make the additions. If you have problems online with the AI or have other concerns, we welcome your call.*

*Please note AI's done over the phone may take up to 24 business hours to process, and a service charge may apply.

If you have specific or unique verbiage required by an additional insured, we recommend that you email us directly with this information, and we will manually issue the updated certificate and/or accord. Email us at AlternativeBalanceteam@gmail.com with subject line "AI Custom." Contact us if you have further questions.

Most custom certificates can be processed within 24 hours during regular business hours.

Because we work with over 500 trades and all 50 states, we simply cannot expect everyone to follow the same requirements, so we break it down by individual state/service. We believe this is the fairest way for our members, as one should not be required to follow another state's laws if they are not practicing there.

Though we do ask for a license or certification number on your application, it simply is not required by us or our agent(s). If a claim is submitted, the insurance company may ask for proof of this at that time to make sure you were legally operating.

Yes. However, for the most efficient service, we recommend that you complete the application online. Online applications are instant with proof sent to your email and your account center the moment you pay. Get started with our fast and easy application here.

If you stay on the application page, first check that all of the "*Mandatory fields" are completed. All fields must be filled in or it will keep you on the page. If you have completed the application in full, and still are having issues, please contact us.

There is a drop down box on the application for Additional Insureds located under the mailing option section. Please click the drop down arrow and select how many additional insureds you need and it will produce the fields to enter the information.

If you enter your email into the application and it warns you that it is already in use that means you already have an account on the website. Please use that email to login in the upper right hand corner of the home page. If you do not recall your password you can reset it. That will bring you in your account center where you can add a policy.

Insurance Terms

The maximum amount your policy will pay in a 12-month policy period for bodily injury and property damage claims that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business operations and professional services.

The maximum amount your policy will pay in a 12-month period for bodily injury and property damage claims that result from the products you use to perform your services. However, it does not cover products that are manufactured, sold, or distributed.

Coverage that reimburses others, whether you are liable or not, for medical and funeral expenses incurred by a third party. If medical expenses exceed the $5,000 limit provided, and you are held legally liable for the damages, then your $2,000,000 per occurrence limit will respond. This provides NO coverage to you or your employees.

A type of property coverage designed to insure your business personal property that is not at a fixed location. This includes coverage for business personal property while in transit over land and computerized equipment. This does not provide coverage for any fixed structures.

This protection provides reimbursement for fraudulent use of your social security number to establish credit accounts, secure loans, enter into contracts, or commit crimes. This coverage will provide Case Management Service and Expense Reimbursement for the re-filing of applications for:

Loans, grants, or other credit instruments

Cost of notarization, postage, long distance phone calls as a result of your efforts to report an identity theft, or amend or rectify records as to your true name or identity

Cost for up to 12 credit reports from established credit bureaus

Attorneys fees and expenses for:

Civil suits brought against you by a creditor or collection agency due to the result of an identity theft

Removing any civil judgments against you as a result of an identity theft

Payment FAQ

NO. Since you are automatically enrolled in the system once an application
has been accepted, we are unable to provide a refund. All fees paid to Alternative Balance in relation to your
application are "non-refundable” unless the application is refused by Alternative Balance.

If you purchased membership/insurance with a credit card or debit card, your statement will
show a charge from Alternative Balance. Depending on your merchant descriptions, it
could also show several different other forms of our name abbreviated.

If your payment fails, you have a choice to try again.
The most common reason for payment failure is when the card numbers are entered incorrectly. Please be sure that all digits match before submitting the application. If all of the numbers are correct and it still will not work, please try another card.

When you attempt to make a payment, a pre-authorization is done.
When it fails, it is denied but a pre-auth may still show on your account with your
institution but is removed "automatically"--usually within 2-3 business days, depending on your institution.
Since technology is so fast, people who view online accounts can see pre-auths, etc., which normally
would never be shown on a printed statement; say, via mail. It is only our quick view now of our
online accounts that we see this before it is actually removed.
Your account will only be charged once, and you will see only one charge once this pre-auth is removed.

FMF means Fraud Management Filter. It is a block on your credit card that will not allow companies to
process the card through Paypal. Please use a different card to pay online that doesn't have these settings.
You can also mail in the print application with a check.

You are always going to be responsible for your account no matter who pays. All receipts and invoices will be in your name and sent directly to you, so make sure that it is your email address on the account.

Product Liability (Add On): Can only be added to Plan A

Product liability is an "add on" to the membership that includes our standard plan of professional and general liability. It must be purchased online and is available to new members and current members. As a new member, simply choose the product liability option on our application.

If you are renewing your membership, renew online and select the Product Liability option on your renewal application.

If you are a current member, login to your account and choose your current policy and simply click the "Add Product Liability" button.

*Please note if you are a current policy holder adding product liability, it will not be pro-rated. It will be active from the date of purchase until your expiration date.